Anthony Black

Anthony Black was a five-star recruit in the high school class of 2022 who played his lone collegiate season at Arkansas. Starring alongside fellow highly touted freshmen Nick Smith and Jordan Walsh, Black started all 36 of his appearances and averaged 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.1 steals and 0.6 blocks in 34.9 minutes per game. The Texas native shot 45.3 percent from the field, 30.1 percent from three and 70.5 percent from the free-throw line. Black is an excellent on-ball defender and a willing passer who prefers to set up teammates rather than create his own shot, but his size is his biggest asset. Black is essentially a point guard with the body of a wing, enabling him to work over and around defenders with ease. He's a good finisher at the rim and an above-average athlete, but operating as a playmaker in the pick-and-roll is where he's most comfortable. At this stage in his development, Black is not a great three-point or free-throw shooter, so developing confidence and better mechanics will be a priority. His Summer League played out as profiled. Black slashed a poor 41/17/55 but racked up 26 rebounds, six steals and two blocks in three games. Aside from his shooting issues, another concern for the rookie as a fantasy asset is Orlando's logjam at guard. He's competing for minutes with Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs and Gary Harris. At this point, though, it wouldn't be surprising if Suggs or Harris was the odd man out. Preseason may give us more information on Black's potential role, but fantasy managers should exercise caution when drafting him.